Decreased adenosine deaminase activity in peripheral lymphocytes of patients suffering from amebic liver abscess

Amebic liver abscess (ALA) is associated with a state of transient suppression of cell-mediated immunity (CMI). T4 helper-inducer cell number is reported to be reduced. However, little is known of the reason for such reduction. Adenosine deaminase (ADA), an enzyme of salvage pathway in purine metabolism, is reported to be essential for the normal growth, differentiation and proliferation of T-lymphoid cells. In a pilot study we estimated the ADA levels in the peripheral lymphocytes of ALA patients. It was observed that the mean enzyme level in patients was 223.98 +/- 51.81 as against 405 +/- 38.12 in controls. The significantly low levels (p < 0.05) of enzyme in patients' lymphocytes may possibly explain the reduction of T4 helper-inducer cells reported in these cases. This parameter, if further evaluated, can serve as a differentiation marker between helper and suppressor T-cell subsets.